UNKNOWN SCENIC ROAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 6

UNKNOWN SCENIC ROAD.

RAGLAN TO AWAKINO.

BUSH, SEA AND RIVER.

MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OBTAINED. Practically unknown to the great body ©f motorists, the back roads of the west coast districts between the Waingaro Hot Springs,' Raglan, Kawhia and Awakino, have much to offer of ontstanding interest. Sea, bush, mountain and river provide a wealth of beauty that combines the majesty of the Urewera-Lake Waikaremoana tour, the charm of the fernfringed routes of the Tangarakau Gorge, Taranaki, and the tracks leading to the Franz Josef and the Fox Glaciers.

With the large amount of work being nndertaken to connect some of the clay gaps, and the already long stretches of old metalled roads, many of the attractions can next summer be inspected without hesitation by motorists. The Auckland Automobile Association recently instructed its touring manager to undertake somewhat of a pioneering tour to map out new routes and explore the possibilities of what has been described as one of the coming tourist attractions of the Dominion. He presented a most enthusiastic report on his return. - The journey from Auckland to the Waingaro Hot Springs was made on the first day, a route being taken via Runciman, Pukekoho East, Tuakau, and across the Waikato River to the Glen MurrayOnewhero Road. The next morning the newly-formed road around the shores of the Raglan Harbour was followed. Reaching the main Hamilton-Raglan Road, a short detour of four mile* was made to Camp" Fergusson, a pleasantly-situated motor camp on the southern end of the harbour. Running back, the main highway was left by the Okete Church, the route continuing through Te Mata, clay surfaces soon being encountered. The bush was now entered, and shortly a stop was made to inspect the Bridal Veil Falls. An Impressive Scene. 'A walk of seven minutes through overhanging bush brought the top of the falls into view and when one looked over the high precipice a cloud of misty spray sparkling in the sunlight formed a pretty picture. Over 100 ft. below, the stream could be seen running away through the bush, a huge amphitheatre clothed with tree and fern ending in a sheer wall of solid rock near the falls. A little further along the road, a view of the snowcapped peak of Mount Egmont was obtained towering above miles of mountain ranges.

At several places throughout the route representations were made to the Auckland' Automobile Association official to assist to secure a metalled coating for the clay-surfaced roads. Among the hills and the bush theso roads are particularly susceptible to rain and the traveller is advised to allow more than the usual length of fine weather before attempting a Bight-seeing trip. Views of the open sea away beyond the West Coast formed a pleasant contrast to the vast expanse of New Zealand's evergreens, and finally, good metalled surfaces indicated the approach to the main road, which was reached 3J miles from Kawhia. The' tour was continued the following morning, and after 10 miles a sign reading "Clay Road, Avoid if Wet, Experienced Drivers Only," was reached. Since the sign was erected many improvements have been carried out and a certain amount of metalling is still in hand, so that next summer during fine weather the driver with only ordinary experience will find conditions reasonably satisfactory. Looking down on the harbour from 200 ft. above, the sea calm as a mill-pond, formed a mirror reflecting the rugged hills. Good Travelling Conditions.

The run round the harbour to Kinohaku was particularly pleasant. Metalled roads now led up through the bush. Dropping down after reaching an altitude of 840 ft., the Mangahine Falls were seen from the roadside, and at To Anga, a detour of a mile and a-half was made to Waitomo to see the falls in the Marakopa River. Proceeding southward, the course of the river was followed through the rich Awamarino dairying district. Ab Marakopa there is land available for 'motor camping close to the West Coast and here the valley was left behind to climb over another spur before descending to Moeatoa. A short detour was made to the Kiritehere Beach where an effort will be made to establish an up-to-date motor camp. Opposite the Moeatoa School was found tlie beginning of the road over the saddle to Waikawau and Awakino. The stream was crossed here.. There were three more unbridged streams before the climb commenced and it was along these few miles that the most uncomfortable conditions of the trip were encountered. With a very small expenditure a vast improvement could be effected. Civilisation was now left behind and chains had to be fitted. The bush was magnificent, the most remarkable feature being the profusion of pungas. At places the car was literally being driven through a canopy of evergreens. The summit was a little under 1000 ft., but the grades were not severe, and in normal line weather the higher-powered cars would negotiate the hill on top gear. For a mile and three-quarters down the mountain side of the spur one looked out on to tops of the trees in the valleys below, the remarkable quantity of pungas adding delightful charm. There was no impression /of a steep descent, but the gradometer recorded a steady grade and altimeter indicated that a drop of 500 ft. had been made in this short distance. Narrow Tunnel Through Cliffs.

'A valley was soon reached and metalled eurfaces rendered the use of chains unnecessary. A sido road turned off across a bridge and for two miles the route ran through to a valley. Looking ahead, a high cliff appeared to block further progress, but rounding the last bend, a tunnel in the face of the cliff appeared. The tunnel was entered, but it was so narrow the mudguards practically touching the sides, that it was thought better to investigate. Walking through the tunnel, which endod on the beach, the crest of the breakers on the coast could be seen. It was found that this tunnel provided access for wool to be shipped away. Continuing, another road turned across a bridge, and after ad vide from a friendly farmer, a note was taken for signs to be erected for the guidance of motorists. The road, although metalled, narrowed considerably, and rising over several spurs, passed through magnificent tall bush reminiscent of portions of the U''ewera Country and (he Motu Ranges. I-he last 10 miles wound round the sides of the hills following the course of the stream and finally joined the main Te KuitiNew Plymouth highway, a mile and aquarter north of Awakino. On the way back, a new road was investigated. This rises from the Awakino Valley and then drops down to the Motu River at Cow Creek, 18 miles from the mouth of the used by campers during next summer.